Two College of Education

Professors Receive the

MU Sinclair School of Nursing's

Interdisciplinary Award

Contact: Pam Roe
S218 School of Nursing
(573) 884-2690

May 3 , 2007

COLUMBIA , Mo. – Two College of Education professors were nominated by nursing students to receive the MU Sinclair School of Nursing's Interdisciplinary award at the School's annual spring banquet.

“The award selection committee determined that both Dr. Alspaugh and Dr. Morris were equally deserving of this award,” said Rose Porter, dean of the School. “Their vote ended in a tie.”

The Interdisciplinary Faculty Award for Excellence is designed to honor a deserving faculty member from outside the School who has demonstrated a commitment to teaching excellence, who has made outstanding contributions to the nursing program, and who has demonstrated support of the School of Nursing . Students nominate individuals who have made an impact on their education.

As a professor emeritus, Alspaugh has taken on the responsibility of teaching statistics to students who aren't math majors.

His students say he has a way of making statistics seem friendly instead of scary. It's his passion for the subject and seeing those moments of “I can do this” in his student's eyes that inspires him to do all he can as an instructor.

“Dr. Alspaugh told me that while he teaches students majoring in many different disciplines, he has found that nursing students are always among the best and brightest of all MU students,” Porter said at the banquet.

Morris is also a College of Education faculty member. He coordinates a U.S. Department of Education grant that improves metal health services for youth in schools and oversight of family supports.

As a project coordinator for the College of Education , he also directs a public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding metal illness. The nursing profession strives to promote, maintain and protect health – both physically and mentally. Through his course “Child and Adolescent Psychopathology,” Morris blends educational disciplines together to show how they fit together to benefit young students with mental health needs.

He can present in-depth information to those with little knowledge of mental health issues in a non-threatening manner. However, for those students with a mental-health background, he gently nudges them to explore practical application in-depth so the entire class could benefit.

Dr. Morris has been a beneficial and supportive force to nursing students by creating a true interdisciplinary approach on delivering care to those with mental-health needs within the classroom experience.

Students, faculty, staff and alumni of the school were honored at the 17 th Annual MU Sinclair School of Nursing Banquet held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia , Mo. , on April 13. The event was held to recognize those individuals who have elevated the reputation, research, teaching and service at the MU Sinclair School of Nursing.

“The school's annual banquet gives us a chance to honor those who have gone the extra mile and in the process elevated the bar of excellence in the field of nursing,” Porter said. “These two professors truly make a difference in nursing student's careers and lives.”

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